Councillors Condemn Warrenpoint War Memorial Attack

A Newry councillor has called for those behind a fourth attack on the Narrow Water soldiers' memorial in Warrenpoint to "show some respect".

The memorial remembers 18 British soldiers killed during The Troubles in 1979 and has been repeatedly targeted by vandals, prompting shock and disgust in the community.

Poppy crosses, wreaths and floral tributes were destroyed some time overnight on Wednesday 03 October, according to police.

DUP Newry councillor Glyn Hanna condemned the latest attack and called on "republican and nationalist politicians" to "step up" and rule out such actions.

"Can the people that commit these attacks not show some respect? The wreaths mark the site where 18 soldiers/human beings who have families that still suffer from their loss died," he said.

Ulster Unionist Councillor David Taylor also denounced the attack and said the scene causes him "deep anger and despair".

"For this type of repulsive action to occur once is one time too many, but unfortunately this has become an all too regular occurrence at Narrow Water," he said.

"Unfortunately intolerance continues to prevail amongst some in society and the lack of respect shown to those brave soldiers murdered at Narrow Water only serves to compound the hurt of their families."

The latest attack comes less than three weeks since the last desecration.

In a post on a Facebook page dedicated to the memorial, it was said that those who maintain the memorial are "utterly shocked, saddened, and appalled" to learn of the vandalism.

"The perpetrators may try to write this atrocity out of the history books…but we will remember them" the post continued.

Police are appealing for information, and Inspector Nigel Henry said: "We would like to hear from witnesses or anyone who may have captured dash-cam footage on the Warrenpoint Road that could assist us."

(JG)